Friday, July 19, 2013

On the Road Again

Westward Ho!

Filingup our
Honda with gas, and our bellies with Carl's Junior, we are back on the open
road. Saying "adios" to Moab at 10AMwe now have just over 2 hours, 20 minutes left before we arrive in Spingdale,
Utah.Tomorrow is ourCanyoneering trip with The Zion Adventure
Company. I'm not 100% sure what it entails, but they give you special shoes, technical equipment,
and a guide. He leads you on hikes through canyons where you repeldown huge rocks. Yes, more big rocks. I also
read that you learn how to tie different knots, which I have zero interest in
learning.

Zona Lives ON! It's a fuzzy picture, but he is in there!

Can you believe that our scorpion from Phoenix is still
alive? He is in the smallest of jars and a rock was put inside for landscape,
but we fear it could kill him if we aren't careful.Wecan't remove the rockbecause we
don't want to get stung. It's a catch 22! Our trip mascot, Zona,has survived on a diet of one spider andone ant thus far.Every morning we wake up and think he's dead,
but he is squirming those ugly pincers by late afternoon. I think I remember
Debbie telling us that scorpions hide out during day and come active at night.
That's our Zona!

Watching a movie to pass the hours

Last night, at the top of Delicate Arch Lucassaid, "I think I have done my exercise
for the year." I laughed. That's "so Lucas." Unlikeour Daniel who begs to climb mountains
andwill need to have hissurvival knife and camel back surgically
removed. Daniel can't get enough of the outdoors , while Lucas is
"chill" with one earbud in.He
texts his friendsand is lining up band
practice when we return. So sixteen. Lucas drove a few days ago and became
"tired." I think he lasted 20 minutes, tops.

Jus another rest stop ...

The thing about this traveling style is that it's
"Family Constant." By that I mean, the four of us, all with different
personalities, are trappedin a car for
hours. And Travel Pants are not for sale yet:) We share adventures during the days and all sleep in
one room by night. We negotiate one bath room that at least two need to use at
the same time. There isn't a break from one another, unless it's your turn to
shower or "use the can." This past week has been family bonding at
its finest.

We finally made it! This place REALLY makes me miss Debbie and Matt's house!

Weeping Rock in Zion National Park. It was a foliage covered cave rock that was
weeping constant drips of "tears."

My Teckie'sdriving and spitting his Jalapeño Hot Sunflower seeds into a cup while
raindrops fall on our dirty windshield. I'm sitting shotgun, trying to watch
him drive, biting my tongue. The speed limit is 80, it's pounding down rain, and Daniel needs to
use the bathroom.Only 1 hour and 20
minutes until Springdale...

Can you believe it? Lucas ran into a band friend from Westlake High School in Zion.
Meet Jordan...
Talk about a small world!

Lucas keeping sharp by reading the Book of Mormon in German.

Six hours later...

As you can tell, we arrived. We hit the park via shuttle for a couple hours, but honestly we were spent. Still, we found time to bicker and laugh.It was beautiful with much more greenery than other places. Like a garden with more huge rocks peering down at you, like a mother to a small child. A highlight was Lucas's friend recognizing him while they sat next to each other on a park shuttle bench. They were in Winter Drum Line together. Jordan on Saxophone, Lucas on guitar. Heck, it is a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it!

Zion is a quaint touristy town and we are right in the middle of it. We hit the candy store next to our motel after dinner. The diet starts on Tuesday, right?

Until next time ...

but wait, there's more!

P.S. Two last thoughts:

1.Thanks Mom for loaning me your Tevas! I have put some miles on them. You ROCK! (get it?)

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In Life, Balance is Everything!

Hop on!

Riding a unicycle is like life. To be successful and enjoy the ride, they both require tremendous balance and focus. I sit up tall, shoulders back and imagine I am holding one of my young boys under each arm. My best-friend-techie-husband’s hand on my seat (hubba, hubba) to guide me, and my two wiener dogs running alongside, looking like double Dumbos. As I train to ride Blanche, my unicycle, in a half-marathon, I think how good God is as the breeze blows my brown hair, a big smile on my face. Come along for a thrilling one-wheel ride while I do my best to maintain balance... but keep an open mind, there is always something new to learn!